Why did you decide to volunteer abroad with Volunteering Solutions in India?
Jaclyn: Before my trip to India I had done several service trips throughout the United States. I really love immersing myself into new cultures and learning about different groups of people. I had taken a few classes on India and just loved the people and the rich history. I started looking around the internet for volunteering organizations and discovered VS. They got great reviews and were no question the best priced volunteering company that I looked at.
Describe your day to day activities as a volunteer.
Jaclyn: Each day we woke up and were provided breakfast at the home stay which was always pretty basic but always really good. I took the public bus about ten minutes away to Lajpat Nagar market were I worked at a children's center. Each day at the center I got the opportunity to hang out and play with the children and also worked hard at teaching them english and math. The work was sometimes challenging but always extremely rewarding. I took the bus back to the home stay after work and got dinner which was also always really good. After dinner, the other volunteers and I would usually go out exploring the sights or visit a market of some sorts. I had the weekends off and spent many weekends outside of Delhi visiting other parts of India.
What made this experience unique and special?
Jaclyn: My experience in India was so unique and special because of the children. Each and every day they put a smile on my face and were just so happy to be learning from me. I also really enjoyed all the friends that I made from all across the world.
How has this experience impacted your future?
Jaclyn: My trip to India made me want to continue to travel around the word and hopefully I will have the chance to take a year off after I finish school and do more volunteering for a longer period of time.